This past Sunday on January 29, 2012, nearly 1,400 attendees witnessed the enshrinement of 15 great men and women, two teams, and one hospital into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Achievement Awards were also given to 16 men, women, and sports programs for their contributions to Missouri sports. This included an award presented to Dr. Jeanne Sinquefield for her crucial role in establishing the Boy Scout Merit Badge for Chess.

Needless to say, it was very exciting to see such honors given to the best in Missouri sports. What was most striking, however, was not the honorees' athletic contributions but their impact on Missouri's communities. These athletes never forget where they come from. Most, including St. Louis Cardinals legend Jim Edmonds and NBA great Jon Sundvold, still live in Missouri today.

While all of these Sports Hall of Fame inductees have given significantly to their communities, Rex Sinquefield was unique in speaking not just about what he has already achieved, but about how he will continue to make Missouri great in the future. He told the crowd about scholarship opportunities specifically for chess players at several St. Louis universities. He also highlighted the US Men’s and Women’s Championships, to be held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis this May.

These efforts speak not only to what Rex has already accomplished in making St. Louis the chess capital of the United States, but also to what he will do to further expand St. Louis’ role in the chess universe. He even spoke of St. Louis becoming the chess capital of the world – not just Missouri and the nation.

When competition in a game can bring people together to make the community better and create bridges over oceans . . . now that is a great sport.